Tissue cutting member for a biopsy device

ABSTRACT

A tissue cutting member includes a distal tubular portion having a side wall defining a lumen, a longitudinal axis, and a flared distal section. The flared distal section has an inclined distal tip and an outwardly flared distal tubular portion that defines an inner tissue receiving aperture. The inclined distal tip has a beveled front face with a leading tissue cutting edge and a trailing cutting edge. A single longitudinally oriented opening is in the side wall in the flared distal section which radially opens to the lumen. The longitudinally oriented opening has an open distal end and is configured to extend from a closed proximal end to the open distal end. The closed proximal end has a relief opening with a transverse dimension larger than a transverse dimension of the longitudinally oriented opening adjacent the relief opening. The longitudinally oriented opening diverges to intersect the trailing cutting edge.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/438,955, entitled “Tissue Cutting Member For A Biopsy Device”, filed May 22, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,095,325, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/683,584, filed on May 23, 2005, and claims priority therefrom, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to tissue cutting members for tissue removing devices such as biopsy devices and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In diagnosing and treating certain medical conditions, such as potentially cancerous tumors, it is usually desirable to perform a biopsy, in which a specimen of the suspicious tissue is removed for pathological examination and analysis. In many instances, the suspicious tissue is located in a subcutaneous site, such as inside a human breast. To minimize surgical intrusion into the patient's body, it is desirable to be able to insert a small instrument into the patient's body to access the targeted site and to separate the biopsy specimen therefrom.

Tissue cutting members currently used with biopsy devices have a variety of problems. Often tissue becomes trapped between the cutting member and the shaft within which the cutting member is disposed. Also many cutting members currently available in the art are not suitable for effectively separating tough or hard tissue from the target site in a patient's body.

There is need in the art for cutting members with improved efficiency for separating tissue specimens from a target location in a patient's body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to tissue cutting members for devices for separating tissue from a target site within a patient's body. More particularly, the invention is directed to tissue cutting members and biopsy devices using such tissue cutting members for the separation of a tissue specimen from supporting tissue at the targeted site within a patient. A suitable biopsy device having a cannula which may be utilized with a tissue cutting member having features of the invention is described in co-pending application Ser. No. 11/014,413, filed on Dec. 16, 2004.

A tissue cutting member embodying features of the invention includes a distal tubular portion having a distal tip with an outer tissue cutting edge, an inner tissue receiving aperture, and a longitudinal axis. Preferably the distal tip of the distal tubular portion has a beveled front face with a leading edge and a trailing edge.

The tubular distal tubular portion has a longitudinally oriented opening in a wall of the distal tubular portion with an open distal end which opens to the inner tissue receiving aperture, and a closed proximal end. The distal tubular portion of the tissue cutting member has at least a second opening in a wall of the tubular portion and preferably a plurality of openings circumferentially spaced from the open ended slot about the longitudinal axis and preferably the centers of these openings are circumferentially located at about 90°, 135°, or 180° from a midpoint of the longitudinally oriented opening. The one or more circumferentially spaced openings may be one of a variety of shapes, for example, a rectangular shape, a circular shape, or an elongated shape such as an oval or elongated slot. One or more of the openings in the distal tubular portion may be of one shape and one or more of the other openings may be of another shape. The openings allow for the vacuum to be maintained within the biopsy device when the cutting member is cutting and provide stress relief, facilitating radial expansion and/or contraction.

The distal tubular portion preferably has a flared distal section with a proximal end and a distal end, and a cylindrically shaped proximal section with a proximal end and a distal end. The open distal end of the longitudinally oriented opening facilitates the flaring of the flared distal section. The flared distal section ensures that the outer tissue cutting edge of the distal tubular portion engages an inner tissue cutting edge of a tissue receiving aperture in the cannula of the biopsy device to cleanly sever the tissue specimen from the supporting tissue and to provide a better tissue specimen for pathological examination.

These and other advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying exemplary drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the proximal portion of an elongated probe member of a biopsy device that has features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a distal portion of the elongated probe shown in FIG. 1 illustrating a tissue cutting member embodying features of the invention disposed within the probe.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a distal tubular portion of a tissue cutting member embodying features of the invention including two openings with a rectangular shape.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the distal tubular portion shown in FIG. 3A that has been rotated 180° from the view of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is an elevational view of the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3D is a longitudinal cross sectional view of the distal tubular portion taken along lines 3D-3D in FIG. 3C.

FIG. 3E is a transverse cross sectional view of the distal tubular portion taken along lines 3E-3E in FIG. 3C.

FIG. 3F is a transverse cross sectional view of the distal tubular portion taken along lines 3F-3F.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a distal tubular portion of a tissue cutting member embodying features of the invention including two circular openings.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the distal tubular portion shown in FIG. 4A that has been rotated 180° from the view of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a distal tubular portion of a tissue cutting member embodying features of the invention including two circular openings and one opening which is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the distal tubular portion shown in FIG. 5A that has been rotated 180° from the view of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a distal tubular portion of a tissue cutting member embodying features of the invention including two circular openings and one opening which is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the distal tubular portion shown in FIG. 6A that has been rotated 180° from the view of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of distal tubular portion of a tissue cutting member embodying features of the invention including two rectangular openings and one opening which is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot.

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the distal tubular portion shown in FIG. 7A that has been rotated 180° from the view of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of a distal tubular portion of a tissue cutting member embodying features of the invention including two rectangular openings and one opening which is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot.

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the distal tubular portion shown in FIG. 8A that has been rotated 180° from the view of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a distal tubular portion of a tissue cutting member embodying features of the invention including two openings which are elongated longitudinally oriented slots.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the distal tubular portion shown in FIG. 9A that has been rotated 180° from the view of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of a distal tubular portion of a tissue cutting member embodying features of the invention including two openings which are elongated longitudinally oriented slots with an enlarged circular shape at the proximal end thereof.

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the distal tubular portion shown in FIG. 10A that has been rotated 180° from the view of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a distal tubular portion of a tissue cutting member embodying features of the invention including two openings which are elongated longitudinally oriented slots each having an enlarged circular shape between the proximal and distal ends thereof.

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the distal tubular portion shown in FIG. 11A that has been rotated 180° from the view of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a distal tubular portion of a tissue cutting member embodying features of the invention including two openings which are elongated longitudinally oriented slots.

FIG. 12B is a perspective view of the distal tubular portion shown in FIG. 12A that has been rotated 180° from the view of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a distal tubular portion of a tissue cutting member embodying features of the invention including two openings which are elongated longitudinally oriented slots each having an enlarged circular shape at the proximal end thereof.

FIG. 13B is a perspective view of the distal tubular portion shown in FIG. 13A that has been rotated 180° from the view of FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a distal tubular portion of a tissue cutting member embodying features of the invention including two openings which are elongated longitudinally oriented slots with an enlarged circular shape at the proximal end thereof.

FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the distal tubular portion shown in FIG. 14A that has been rotated 180° from the view of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a distal tubular portion of a tissue cutting member embodying features of the invention including four openings which are elongated longitudinally oriented slots.

FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the distal tubular portion shown in FIG. 15A that has been rotated 180° from the view of FIG. 15A.

FIG. 16A is a perspective view of a distal tubular portion of a tissue cutting member embodying features of the invention including four openings which are elongated longitudinally oriented slots each having an enlarged circular shape at the proximal end thereof.

FIG. 16B is a perspective view of the distal tubular portion shown in FIG. 16A that has been rotated 180° from the view of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 17A is a perspective view of a distal tubular portion of a tissue cutting member embodying features of the invention including four openings which are elongated longitudinally oriented slots.

FIG. 17B is a perspective view of the distal tubular portion shown in FIG. 17A that has been rotated 180° from the view of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 18A is a perspective view of a distal tubular portion of a tissue cutting member embodying features of the invention including four openings which are elongated longitudinally oriented slots each having an enlarged essentially circular shape at the proximal end thereof.

FIG. 18B is a perspective view of the distal tubular portion shown in FIG. 18A that has been rotated 180° from the view of FIG. 18A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a probe component 10 including a housing 12 and an outer tubular member or cannula 14. The tissue cutting member 16 embodying features of the invention is slidably disposed within an inner lumen 18 in the cannula 14. The probe component 10 may be part of a biopsy device such as that described in co-pending application Ser. No. 11/014,413 filed on Dec. 16, 2004. Details of the probe component 10 and other parts of the biopsy device may be found in the aforesaid application.

The cannula 14 of the probe component 10 has a distal tip 20 and an open tissue receiving aperture 22 spaced proximal to the distal tip 20. The tissue receiving aperture 22 has an inner tissue cutting edge 24. The tissue cutting member 16 is slidably disposed within the inner lumen 18 of the cannula 14 of the probe component, as shown in FIG. 2.

The distal tip 20 of the cannula 14 may have a variety of tip shapes. The shape of the tissue penetrating distal tip disclosed in the above referenced co-pending application Ser. No. 11/014,413 has been found to be suitable for penetrating tissue, particularly breast tissue. Alternatively, the distal tip 20 may have an arcuate RF electrode such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,241 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,700, (all of which have been assigned to the present assignee) that facilitate advancement of the probe through tissue.

FIGS. 3A-18B show tissue cutting member 16 having features of the invention including a distal tubular portion 26. Preferably the tubular distal portion has a diameter of between about 0.1 inches and 0.2 inches. The distal tubular portion 26 has a distal tip 28 with an outer tissue cutting edge 30 and an inner tissue receiving aperture 32 and a longitudinal axis 34. The distal tubular portion 26 also includes a longitudinally oriented opening 36 that has an open distal end 38 which opens to the inner tissue receiving aperture 32 and which has a closed proximal end 40. Preferably the longitudinally oriented opening 36 has a length of about 0.1 inches to about 0.3 inches. Additionally, a wall 42 of the tubular distal portion 26 has at least a second opening 44 (shown having a rectangular shape in FIGS. 3A-3F) which is circumferentially spaced from the longitudinally oriented opening 36 about the longitudinal axis 34.

Preferably the distal tip 28 of the distal tubular portion 26 has a beveled front face 46 with a leading edge 48 and a trailing edge 50. The longitudinally oriented opening 36 in distal tubular portion 26 opens to the trailing edge 50 of the beveled front face 46.

The distal tubular portion 26 preferably includes a flared distal section 52 which has a proximal end 54 and a distal end 56 and a cylindrically shaped proximal section 58 which has a proximal end 60 and a distal end 62. The distal tubular portion 26 may have a junction 64 where the proximal end 54 of the flared distal section 52 meets the distal end 62 of the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58. Preferably the flared distal section flares outward about 1° to 3° degrees from the cylindrically shaped proximal section. The open distal end 38 of the longitudinally oriented opening 36 facilitates the flaring of the flared distal section 52 as shown by line 66. The flared distal section 52 ensures that the outer tissue cutting edge 30 of the distal tubular portion 26 engages the inner tissue cutting edge 24 of the tissue receiving aperture 22, as shown in FIG. 2, to provide scissor-like cutting motion for separating a tissue specimen from supporting tissue at the target biopsy site.

The longitudinally oriented opening 36 preferably has an enlarged essentially circular shape 68 at the closed proximal end 40 of the longitudinally oriented opening 36. The closed proximal end 40 of the longitudinally oriented opening 36 can be located entirely within the flared distal section 52 (not shown), entirely within in the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58 as shown in FIGS. 9A-14B and 17A-18B, or at least partially in the distal end 62 of the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58 as shown in FIGS. 3A-8B and 15A-16B.

The second opening 44 (shown with a rectangular shape in FIGS. 3A-3F) in the wall 42 of the tubular distal portion 26 allows for a vacuum to be maintained within the probe component 10. Preferably the distal tubular portion 26 has a plurality of openings. The openings of the distal tubular portion are circumferentially disposed at an angle about the longitudinal axis 34 and the centers of these openings are preferably circumferentially located at about 90°, 135°, or 180° from a midpoint of the longitudinally oriented opening 36. Preferably a third opening 70 (shown with a rectangular shape in FIGS. 3A-3F) is provided in the wall 42 of the distal tubular portion 26 circumferentially spaced from the longitudinally oriented opening 36 and essentially opposite of the second opening 44. The second opening 44 may have a variety of shapes for example, a rectangular shape, a circular shape, or an elongated shape such as an oval or elongated slot. Preferably when the second opening 44 is an elongated slot, the opening has a length of between about 0.1 inches and 0.4 inches. The second opening 44 and the third opening 70 preferably have the same shape, however, one or more of the openings may be of one shape and one or more of the other openings may be of another shape.

In one embodiment of the device having features of the invention, shown in FIGS. 3A-3E, the second and third openings 44 and 70 of the distal tubular portion 26 are circumferential rectangular openings. In this embodiment the longitudinal midlines of the second opening 44 and the third opening 70 lie in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 34 and are located in the flared distal section 52 of the distal tubular portion 26. The closed proximal end 40 of the longitudinally oriented opening 36 is at the proximal end 54 of the flared distal section 52.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a cutting member 16 which embodies features of the invention wherein the second opening 44 a and third opening 70 a of the distal tubular portion 26 are circular openings and are located in the flared distal section 52. The closed proximal end 40 of the longitudinally oriented opening 36 is located at least partially in the distal end 62 of the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a distal tubular portion 26 of the tissue cutting member 16 wherein the second opening 44 b and third opening 70 b are circular openings located at least partially in the distal end 62 of the cylindrically shaped proximal portion 58. The closed proximal end 40 of the longitudinally oriented opening 36 is located at the proximal end 54 of the flared distal section 52.

The distal tubular portion 26 in FIGS. 5A and 5B also includes a fourth opening 72 which is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot with a closed proximal end 74 and a closed distal end 76. The fourth opening 72 is opposite to the longitudinally oriented opening 36. The closed proximal end 74 of the opening 72 is located at the proximal end 54 of the flared distal section 52. The closed distal end 76 of the fourth opening 72 is located in the flared distal section 52.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a tissue cutting member 10 wherein the distal tubular portion 26 has a second opening 44 c and a third opening 70 c which are located at least partially in the distal end 62 of the cylindrically shaped section 58. FIGS. 6A and 6B also include a fourth opening 72 a which is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot with a closed proximal end 74 a and a closed distal end 76 a. The closed proximal end 74 a of the fourth opening 72 a is in the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58 and the closed distal end 76 a of the fourth opening 72 a is in the flared distal section 52.

In the embodiment of the device having features of the invention shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the second opening 44 d and the third opening 70 d of the distal tubular portion 26 have a rectangular shape and are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 34. The closed proximal end 40 of the longitudinally oriented opening 36 and the second 44 d and third 70 d openings are located at least partially in the distal end 62 of the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58.

FIGS. 7A and 7B also include fourth opening 72 b which is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot with a closed proximal end 74 b and a closed distal end 76 b. The closed proximal end 74 b of the fourth opening 72 b is located at the proximal end 54 of the flared distal section 52. The closed distal end 76 b of the fourth opening 72 b is located in the flared distal section 52.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show a distal tubular portion 26 of the tissue cutting member 16 which has a second opening 44 e and a third opening 70 e which have a rectangular shape and are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 34. The second 44 e and third 70 e openings are located at least partially in the distal end 62 of the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58. FIGS. 8A and 8B also include a fourth opening 72 c which is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot with a closed proximal end 74 c and a closed distal end 76 c. The closed proximal end 74 c of the fourth opening 72 c is located in the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58 and the closed distal end 76 c of the fourth opening 72 c is located in the flared distal section 52. In this embodiment the closed proximal end 40 of the longitudinally oriented opening 36 is located at least partially in the distal end 62 of the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58.

In the embodiment of the device having features of the invention shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the second opening 44 f of the tubular distal portion 26 is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot with a closed proximal end 78 and a closed distal end 80. The closed proximal end 78 is located in the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58. The closed distal end 80 of the second opening 44 f is located in the flared distal section 52. The third opening 70 f is has the same shape as the second opening 44 f and the same orientation with respect to the flared distal section 52 and the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58. In this embodiment the closed proximal end 40 of the longitudinally oriented opening 36 is located in the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show a distal tubular portion 26 of the tissue cutting member wherein the closed proximal end 40 of the longitudinally oriented opening 36 is in the cylindrically shaped proximal section 54 of the distal tubular portion 26. The distal tubular portion 26 has a second opening 44 g which is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot with a closed distal end 80 a and a closed proximal end 78 a and an enlarged essentially circular shape 82 at the proximal end 78 a thereof. The closed proximal end 78 a of the second 44 g opening is located in the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58 and the closed distal end 80 a of second opening is located in the flared distal section 52. The third opening 70 g of the distal tubular portion 26 has the same shape as the second opening 44 g and has the same orientation.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show a distal tubular portion 26 of the tissue cutting member 16 wherein the distal tubular portion 26 has a second opening 44 h which is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot with a closed proximal end 78 b and a closed distal end 80 b. The second opening also had an enlarged essentially circular shape 84 located between the proximal 78 b and distal 80 b ends. The closed proximal end 78 b of the elongated shape is in the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58 and the closed distal end 80 b of the elongated shape is in the distal flared section 52. The enlarged essentially circular shape 84 of the second opening 44 h is at least partially in the distal end 62 of the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58. The third opening 70 h is the same shape as the second opening 44 h and has the same orientation as the second opening 44 h. In this embodiment the closed proximal end 40 of the longitudinally oriented opening 36 is in the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58 of the distal tubular portion 26.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show a distal tubular portion of the tissue cutting member 26 wherein the closed proximal end 40 of the longitudinally oriented opening 36 is in the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58 of the distal tubular portion 26. The second opening 44 i is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot with a closed proximal end 78 c and a closed distal end 80 c. The closed proximal end 78 c of the first opening 44 i is located at the proximal end 54 of the flared distal section 52. The closed distal end 80 c of the second opening 44 i is located in the flared distal section 52. The third opening 70 i has the same shape and orientation as the second opening 44 i.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show a distal tubular portion 26 of the tissue cutting member 16, which has a second opening 44 j which is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot with a closed distal 80 d end and closed proximal end 78 d. The closed proximal end 78 d has an enlarged essentially circular shape 86. The closed distal end 80 d of the second opening 44 j is located in the flared distal section 52 and the closed proximal end 78 d is located at least partially in the distal end 62 of the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58. The third opening 70 j has the same shape and orientation as the second opening 44 j. In this embodiment the closed proximal end 40 of the longitudinally oriented opening 36 is in the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58 of the distal tubular portion 26.

FIGS. 14A and 14B show a distal tubular portion 26 of the tissue cutting member 16 which has a second opening 44 k which is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot with a closed proximal end 78 e and a closed distal end 80 e. The closed proximal end 78 e of the elongated slot has an enlarged essentially circular shape 88 which extends toward the longitudinally oriented opening 36. In this embodiment the closed proximal end 40 of the longitudinally oriented opening 36 is in the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58 of the distal tubular portion 26.

FIGS. 15A and 15B show a distal tubular portion 26 of the tissue cutting member 16 wherein closed proximal end 40 of the longitudinally oriented opening 36 is located at least partially in the distal end 62 of the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58. In this embodiment the device has a second opening 44 l which is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot. The second opening 44 l a closed proximal end 78 f and a closed distal end 80 f. The closed distal end 80 f of the second opening 44 l is in the flared distal section 52 of the distal tubular portion 26. The closed proximal end 78 f of the second opening 44 l is in the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58. The third opening 70 l has the same shape and orientation as the second opening 44 l.

Additionally, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B includes a fourth opening 72 d and a fifth opening 90. The fourth opening 72 d is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot and has a closed proximal end 74 d and a closed distal end 76 d. The closed proximal end 74 d of the fourth opening 72 d is located at the proximal end 54 of the flared distal section 52. The closed distal end 76 d of the fourth opening 72 d is located in the flared distal section 52. The fourth opening 72 d and the fifth opening 90 have lengths which are longer than the length of the second opening 44 l and the third opening 70 l.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show a distal tubular portion 26 of the tissue cutting member 16 which has a second opening 44 m, a third opening 70 m, a fourth opening 72 e, and a fifth opening 90 a. The second opening 44 m is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot with a closed proximal 78 g end and a closed distal end 80 g. The closed proximal end 78 g of the second opening 44 m has an enlarged essentially circular shape 92 which is located at least partially in the distal end 62 of the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58. The closed distal end 80 g of the second opening 44 m is located in the flared distal section 52. The third opening 70 m has the same shape and orientation as the second opening 44 m. In this embodiment the closed proximal end 40 of the longitudinally oriented opening 36 is located at least partially in the distal end 62 of the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58.

The embodiment in FIGS. 16A and 16B also includes a fourth opening 72 e and a fifth opening 90 a. The fourth opening 72 e is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot with a closed proximal end 74 e and a closed distal end 76 e. The closed proximal end 74 e of the fourth opening 72 e has an enlarged essentially circular shape 94 which is located at least partially in the distal end 62 of the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58. The closed distal end 76 e of the fourth opening 72 e is located in the flared distal section 52. The fourth opening 72 e and the fifth opening 90 a have a length which is longer than the length of the second opening 44 m and the third opening 70 m.

FIGS. 17A and 17B show a tubular distal portion 26 of the tissue cutting member 16 wherein the closed proximal end 40 of the longitudinally oriented opening 36 is located in the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58. This embodiment includes a second opening 44 n and a third opening 70 n. The second opening 44 n is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot with a closed proximal end 78 h and a closed distal end 80 h. The closed proximal end 78 h of the second opening 44 n is located in the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58. The closed distal end 80 h of the second opening 44 n is located in the flared distal section 52. The third opening 70 m has the same shape and orientation as the second opening 44 n.

The embodiment in FIGS. 17A and 17B also has a fourth opening 72 f and fifth opening 90 b. The fourth opening 72 f is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot with a closed proximal end 74 f and a closed distal end 76 f. The closed distal end 76 f of the fourth opening 72 f is located in the flared distal section 52. The closed proximal end 76 f of the fourth opening 72 f is located at the junction 64 between the flared distal section 52 and the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58. The fifth opening 90 b has the same shape and orientation as the fourth opening 72 f.

The embodiment of the device shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B has a second opening 44 o which is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot with a closed distal end 80 i and a closed proximal end 78 i. The closed proximal end 78 i of the second opening 44 o has an enlarged essentially circular shape located in the cylindrically shaped proximal section 58. The closed distal end 80 i of the second opening 44 o is located in the flared distal section 52. The third opening 70 o has the same shape and orientation as the second opening 44 o.

The embodiment in FIGS. 18A and 18B also include a fourth opening 72 g and a fifth opening 90 c. The fourth opening 72 g is an elongated longitudinally oriented slot with a closed proximal end 74 g and a closed distal end 76 g. The closed proximal end 74 g of the fourth opening 72 g is located at the proximal end 54 of the flared distal section 52. The closed distal end 76 g of the fourth opening 72 g is located in the flared distal section 52. The fifth opening 90 c has the same shape and orientation as the fourth opening 72 g. In this embodiment the closed proximal end 40 of the longitudinally oriented opening 36 is in the cylindrically shaped proximal section 54 of the distal tubular portion 26.

The tissue cutting members shown in 17A and 17B and 18A and 18B may have an additional opening 96 shown in phantom in FIG. 18A.

The tubular portion 28 of the tissue cutting member 16 is preferably formed of surgical grade stainless steel. However, other high strength materials such as MP35N, other cobalt-chromium alloys, NiTi alloys, ceramics, glasses, and high strength polymeric materials or combinations thereof may be suitable. Further details of the tissue cutting member 16 may be found in the above mentioned application Ser. No. 11/014,413, filed on Dec. 16, 2004.

While particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it will be apparent that various modifications and improvements can be made to the invention. For example, while the various embodiments of the invention have been described herein in terms of a biopsy device, it should be apparent that the devices and methods of utilizing the device may be employed to remove tissue for purposes other than for biopsy, i.e. for treatment or other diagnoses. Moreover, individual features of embodiments of the invention may be shown in some drawings and not in others, but those skilled in the art will recognize that individual features of one embodiment of the invention can be combined with any or all the features of another embodiment. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated. It is therefore intended that this invention to be defined by the scope of the appended claims as broadly as the prior art will permit.

Terms such a “element”, “member”, “device”, “section”, “component”, “portion”, “section”, “means”, “step” and words of similar import, when used herein shall not be construed as invoking the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(6) unless the following claims expressly use the terms “means” or “step” followed by a particular function without specific structure or action. All patents and patent applications referred to above are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tissue cutting member for separating a tissue specimen from a target site within a patient's body comprising: a distal tubular portion including a side wall defining a lumen, a longitudinal axis, and a flared distal section, the flared distal section having an inclined distal tip at a distal end of the side wall and an outwardly flared distal tubular portion that defines an inner tissue receiving aperture, the inclined distal tip having a beveled front face with a leading cutting edge and a trailing cutting edge, the outwardly flared distal tubular portion being outwardly flared in a distal direction to the leading cutting edge; and a single longitudinally oriented opening in the side wall in the flared distal section which radially opens to the lumen, the single longitudinally oriented opening having an open distal end and configured to extend from a closed proximal end to the open distal end, the closed proximal end having a relief opening with a transverse dimension larger than a transverse dimension of the single longitudinally oriented opening adjacent the relief opening, the single longitudinally oriented opening diverging from the closed proximal end to intersect the trailing cutting edge of the beveled front face of the inclined distal tip of the distal tubular portion and configured to facilitate formation of the outwardly flared distal tubular portion.
 2. The tissue cutting member of claim 1, wherein the relief opening has a substantially circular shape.
 3. The tissue cutting member of claim 1, wherein the distal tubular portion includes a cylindrically shaped proximal section, the flared distal section configured to extend in a distal direction from the cylindrically shaped proximal section.
 4. The tissue cutting member of claim 3, wherein the relief opening is located at an intersection of the cylindrically shaped proximal section with the flared distal section of the distal tubular portion.
 5. The tissue cutting member of claim 3, wherein the relief opening is located, in part, in each of the cylindrically shaped proximal section and the flared distal section of the distal tubular portion.
 6. The tissue cutting member of claim 1, further comprising at least one annular slot located in the side wall in the flared distal section in a region between the relief opening and the inclined distal tip.
 7. The tissue cutting member of claim 6, wherein the at least one annular slot includes two diametrically opposed annular slots.
 8. The tissue cutting member of claim 1, further comprising at least one circular opening located in the side wall in the flared distal section in a region between the relief opening and the inclined distal tip.
 9. The tissue cutting member of claim 8, wherein the at least one circular opening includes two diametrically opposed circular openings.
 10. The tissue cutting member of claim 1, wherein the distal tubular portion includes a cylindrically shaped proximal section, the flared distal section configured to extend in a distal direction from the cylindrically shaped proximal section, and further comprising at least one annular slot located at an intersection of the cylindrically shaped proximal section with the flared distal section of the distal tubular portion.
 11. The tissue cutting member of claim 10, wherein the at least one annular slot includes two diametrically opposed annular slots.
 12. The tissue cutting member of claim 1, wherein the distal tubular portion includes a cylindrically shaped proximal section, the flared distal section configured to extend in a distal direction from the cylindrically shaped proximal section, and further comprising at least one circular opening located at an intersection of the cylindrically shaped proximal section with the flared distal section of the distal tubular portion.
 13. The tissue cutting member of claim 12, wherein the at least one circular opening includes two diametrically opposed circular openings.
 14. A biopsy probe, comprising: a. an elongated outer cannula having a distal tip, a first tissue receiving aperture in a side wall of the elongated outer cannula spaced proximally from the distal tip; and b. a tissue cutting member slidably disposed within the elongated outer cannula, the tissue cutting member including: a distal tubular portion including a side wall defining a lumen, a longitudinal axis, and a flared distal section, the flared distal section having an inclined distal tip at a distal end of the side wall and an outwardly flared distal tubular portion that defines an inner tissue receiving aperture, the inclined distal tip having a beveled front face with a leading cutting edge and a trailing cutting edge, the outwardly flared distal tubular portion being outwardly flared in a distal direction to the leading cutting edge; and a single longitudinally oriented opening in the side wall in the flared distal section which radially opens to the lumen, the single longitudinally oriented opening having an open distal end and configured to extend from a closed proximal end to the open distal end, the closed proximal end having a relief opening with a transverse dimension larger than a transverse dimension of the single longitudinally oriented opening adjacent the relief opening, the single longitudinally oriented opening diverging from the closed proximal end to intersect the trailing cutting edge of the beveled front face of the inclined distal tip of the distal tubular portion and configured to facilitate formation of the outwardly flared distal tubular portion.
 15. The biopsy probe of claim 14, wherein the relief opening has a substantially circular shape.
 16. The biopsy probe of claim 14, wherein the distal tubular portion includes a cylindrically shaped proximal section, the flared distal section configured to extend in a distal direction from the cylindrically shaped proximal section.
 17. The biopsy probe of claim 16, wherein the relief opening is located at an intersection of the cylindrically shaped proximal section with the flared distal section of the distal tubular portion.
 18. The biopsy probe of claim 14, further comprising at least one annular slot located in the side wall in the flared distal section in a region between the relief opening and the inclined distal tip.
 19. The biopsy probe of claim 14, further comprising at least one circular opening located in the side wall in the flared distal section in a region between the relief opening and the inclined distal tip.
 20. A tissue cutting member for separating a tissue specimen from a target site within a patient's body, comprising: a distal tubular portion including a side wall defining a lumen, a longitudinal axis, a cylindrically shaped proximal section, and a flared distal section, the flared distal section configured to extend in a distal direction from the cylindrically shaped proximal section, the flared distal section having an inclined distal tip at a distal end of the side wall and an outwardly flared distal tubular portion that defines an inner tissue receiving aperture, the inclined distal tip having a beveled front face with a leading cutting edge and a trailing cutting edge, the outwardly flared distal tubular portion being outwardly flared in a distal direction to the leading cutting edge; and a single longitudinally oriented opening in the side wall in the cylindrically shaped proximal section and in the flared distal section which radially opens to the lumen, the single longitudinally oriented opening having an open distal end at the flared distal section and having a closed proximal end in the cylindrically shaped proximal section, the closed proximal end having a relief opening with a transverse dimension larger than a transverse dimension of the single longitudinally oriented opening adjacent the relief opening, the single longitudinally oriented opening configured to diverge to intersect the trailing cutting edge of the beveled front face of the inclined distal tip of the distal tubular portion and configured to facilitate formation of the outwardly flared distal tubular portion. 